The Calgary Flames are saying all the right things, riding a four game losing streak into Denver tonight for their second meeting with the Colorado Avalanche (7:30 pm, Sportsnet West (JIP), Sportsnet Flames and The FAN 960). Curtis Glencross returns to the lineup for the Flames, as the team seems motivated to make sure this skid ends now.

It's F'in Game Day, and for the second time this season, it's against the Colorado Avalanche. The Avs were able to take a 6-5 win at the 'Dome on October 28th. For the Flames, not only is this a divisional game, it's also time to snap a four game losing skid. That was the feeling yesterday prior to the team departing for Denver...everyone was talking about how things need to get turned around now, when the season is still relatively early. The main message: don't put yourself behind the eight ball two months into the season.

The Lineup

As mentioned, Curtis Glencross returns to the Flames lineup after missing Friday's loss at the hands of the Minnesota Wild. He'll slot into the same spot he was in before, on a line with Craig Conroy and Tim Jackman. Steve Staios will play once again, after getting back into game action Friday against the Wild. Here are lines and pairings:

Will be interesting to see how the matchups go tonight, but this seems like a game where names like Jokinen, Morrison and Bourque need to carry the offensive load.

The Opposition

Yep, that above is a thin blue line. Colorado is straight up ravaged by injuries, especially on the blueline. The Avalanche will go with a starting six defenceman, four of whom will be playing with under ten games of experience. Wow. The starting six tonight look like this for the Avs, minus pairings:

Peter Budaj looks to get the start in net, coming off a shutout. To me, it's on the Flames to make sure they exploit the injuries affecting the Avalanche. With that blueline, Calgary better get that forecheck going early, and start forcing turnovers right off the bat.

The Story

Calgary is below the .500 mark for the first time since the first few games of the season, and the frustration is mounting from the loyal fans of this club. It's true, the team has got to stop the bleeding now, and not let this thing get out of control, and I'm glad the team is saying all the right things heading in...but doing the right things has been the real issue at times this season.

Yes, the Flames played pretty good in Friday's loss to Minnesota, and probably deserved a better fate in a lot of ways. So, what's important is to take those good things and carry them over to this game. Frustration over a loss like that can be a good thing, but they can also be a bad thing and breed more bad habits.

Of Note

It doesn't look to be a special teams display, with the Avalanche boasting the second worst penalty kill in the NHL, sitting at 71.7%. Their PK at home is even worse, at 63.0%, placing them dead last in the league. Ha, but then there is Calgary's road powerplay, which is second worst at 4.5%.

Calgary has now scored the first goal in 10 of their 13 games, yet sit just 5-5 when doing that. You've got to do a better job when opening the scoring.

Pat Steinberg can be heard daily on the Fan960 in Calgary at can be read at the FAN 960. Born and raised in Calgary, Steinberg considers himself a huge fan of all sports including the CFL, MMA and 13 round bare knuckle boxing matches. Follow Steinberg on Twitter at www.twitter.com/Fan960Steinberg.

As for the Avs, I wish it were easy to say "let's exploit such and such line", except for the fact that they seem to have some gems on each line. That 4th line tore it up against Dallas (granted it was Raycroft in net), and Chris Stewart seems to be a Flame killer.

That said, if we can get Iginla/Bourque or ANY of our scorers out there against, say, Holos or Shattenkirk, we might score.

If the Flames can't take advantage of that woeful blueline tonight, then I just don't know...

Yeah, they have to expoit this early tonight, because if you don't, the Avs can get in a groove and play smart hockey en route to a win. Get on these guys early, make them think heading into the corners.

Yeah, they have to expoit this early tonight, because if you don't, the Avs can get in a groove and play smart hockey en route to a win. Get on these guys early, make them think heading into the corners.

I suspect that if the Avs, with a $7M blueline, defeat the Flames, with a $22M+ blueline, the cognitive dissonance might make Darryl's head asplode.

Heard a comment last year on overtime, 'I have stopped watching the Flames with expectations, Just watch the hockey' I dont think I have gotten quite that far, I still expect them to make the playoffs and such, But is it bad of me to say that if they lose anymore I dont mind that much anymore?

I mean I think they have proven they wont be an elite team anytime soon, (Or top 6 in the west, Safe to assume so?) so im done with being average. Its gotten the flames nowhere lately, our best player's just getting older.

Im still gonna cheer this team on till the end, Hope they win lots of games, and just watch some good hockey.
p.s. Everytime I watch hockey anywhere, especially the Flames, I just want it to start getting cold out and play some hockey, Its that time of year again!

Except I'm guessing you'd be crowing about how great Kipper has been if he was sporting Thomas' numbers, Lawrence. In fact, you climbed up on a cross with him after one of his shut-outs this year when you thought he wasn't getting his due credit.

I fully expect his numbers to improve, personally. I was the first one to point out one month is pretty much useless in evaluating a goaltender.